Petaluma is one of the best places for a weekend getaway in December. Petaluma lights up holiday activities filled with magical moments and old-world merriment! Families love to spend a weekend in Petaluma with their shopping lists and their holiday spirit. There are so many ways to enjoy a wintery weekend in our historic downtown. New this year, you can even ice skate! Learn all the ways you and your family can experience holiday cheer in historic Petaluma.  

The City of Lights Driving Tour spans all of December. Marvel at the festive decorated houses and business. This spectacular driving tour showcases the many historic homes in Petaluma. There’s a reason why Petaluma homes and downtown have been featured in many motion pictures! The map will be available by December 1 at the Visitors Center, online, and in the Petaluma Argus-Courier.

The Hotel Petaluma Tapestry Collection by Hilton hosts its Gingerbread House Showcase and Competition November 29-30. On December 3, the Hotel hosts the 3rd Annual Holiday Makers Fair 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Enjoy a festive day of shopping for unique gifts from local artisans and makers.

Anticipation mounts as families gather on November 30 for Santa’s Riverboat Arrival at the Turning Basin near Taps on the River. The Pacific Empire Chorus sings carols and holiday favorites in beautiful, a cappella, four-part harmonies and our MC, the Merry Minstrel, regales the crowd with guitar, harmonica and vocals. When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by tugboat, they’re escorted by Petaluma School of Ballet dancers in full Nutcracker costumes to Santa’s Grotto near Taps, where children can get their faces painted by Budderball the Clown and join Santa for photos and Christmas wishes until 1:30 pm. This Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA) event is a crowd pleaser.

Santa arriving on Small Business Saturday (November 30) makes it so easy for shoppers to put those Christmas wishes into action and save, while supporting local merchants. You can grab a Holiday Passport at the Visitors Center to make sure you find all the best deals and get a chance to win a $150 gift certificate to spend on the items you wish you hadn’t passed on.

On Friday, December 6, there’s another chance to catch Santa at the Tree lighting Celebration at Theatre Square. The following day, Saturday, December 7, the river lights up when the Petaluma Yacht Club presents a Lighted Boat Parade. The boats leave the Petaluma Marina at 5:30 pm and arrive at the Turning Basin at 6:00 pm.

On December 14, the PDA presents its Downtown Holiday Shopping Stroll on Kentucky Street, which features special treats, activities, and deals in shops and booths all decked out for the holidays. Entertainment includes the Pacific Empire Chorus, the Apple Tree Morris Dancers, balloon animals with Budderball the Clown, and last but not least, another photo op with Santa & Mrs. Claus!

For those interested in Compassionate Tourism, the Fabulous Women’s Festival of Trees raffles off decorated, themed trees to raise money for nonprofits, while entertaining attendees with all the holiday musts, including music, treats and another appearance by Santa. Walking into the festival is like stepping into a Christmas card, with the magic of the season taking your breath away. This year’s event will be held at Hall of the Above (corner of Petaluma Blvd and E Washington) from 6 – 9 pm on Friday, December 13 and 1 – 9 pm on Saturday, December 14.  

From December 13 to January 7, the fairgrounds is home to LUMA Ice, a huge, outdoor ice rink for even more holiday fun. The rink, made with real ice, accommodates more than 200 skaters at a time.

Mark your calendar for a holiday weekend!

What’s better than a December getaway to shop for the holidays and take in some old-world holiday cheer in a historic town that pulls out all the stops? What weekend will you pick to visit Petaluma?

• You could come November 30th for Santa’s Riverboat Arrival, Small Business Saturday, and the Gingerbread Showcase.
• On Friday, December 6th, you can enjoy the Tree Lighting Celebration at Theatre Square and the Lighted Boat Parade the following evening. And don’t forget the City of Lights Driving Tour!
• The weekend of December 13th, it’s the Fabulous Women’s Festival of Trees, and you’ll be here for the shopping event of the year, the Downtown Holiday Market & Shopping Stroll. Also, new to Petaluma, you can skate on real ice at LumaIce, beginning December 13.

Whichever weekend you choose, Petaluma offers more than its fair share of holiday activities and cheer.